Story by Brock Ormond
The Wellington Dukes overcame a delayed start in Renfrew to post their first victory of the 2023 preseason on Saturday night.
Sacha Trudel and Dimitri Tzaferis each had a goal and an assist as the Dukes tamed the Wolves 5-2 in a game delayed by almost an hour due to ice conditions at the Renfrew Arena.
After a deflection goal on a powerplay by Renfrew broke the scoring open, the Dukes answered quickly with a pair of markers from Tzaferis and Jack Nolan.
Tzaferis cleaned up the mess after a drive to the Wolves net by William Whelton and Nick DiPaolo only 21 seconds after the Wolves first marker.
1:05 later, Nolan potted a Zack Carrier feed to lift Wellington into the lead. Connor Loerzel chipped in with an assist.
Another tip goal from Renfrew’s Dane Carter at the 12:42 mark evened the score again in a busy first period.
The scoring was much quieter in the second, but the one goal that was counted went to the Dukes – and it proved to be the difference in the game.
Hayden Pimm slipped home a powerplay marker with a little more than seven minutes left in the frame to put Wellington ahead to stay.
Trudel supplied the lone helper, then added a goal of his own at 14:41 of the third for some insurance.
Tzaferis and Liam Lucas drew the helpers.
Cory Jewitt finished it off with a shorthanded empty-netter to secure the win.
Nolan Lane (15 saves on 17 shots) and Jack Lisson (18 saves on 18 shots) split the net in the victory and both looked impressive early.
The shots were even 35 apiece.
The Dukes are back on the road for a short trip to Cobourg at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
